BlockPipe is an exploration of what could happen if the UNIX pipe operator was generalized to operate on structured datatypes and functions, instead of text streams and programs.

The structured datatypes, in turn, are generalizations of tuples (so we'll call them tuples), and the functions shall be known as "blocks".

Blocks consume tuples and return tuples. They can be chained together using pipes. Hence - "BlockPipe". If you want to interactively tour BlockPipe, check out the website at https://blockpipe.varunramani.com.

Grammar Overview (Interpreted)

Expression $\rightarrow$ Binding | Tuple | Block | Pipe | Literal | Identifier

Binding $\rightarrow$ Identifier : Expression

Tuple $\rightarrow$ ( Expression* )

Block $\rightarrow$ { Expression* }

Pipe $\rightarrow$ Expression | Expression

Literal $\rightarrow$ String | Integer | Float | Boolean

Identifier $\rightarrow$ ([a-z]|_)([a-zA-Z]|_|\d)*

String $\rightarrow$ Standard C-style String

Boolean $\rightarrow$ T | F

Float $\rightarrow$ -?\d+\.\d+

Integer $\rightarrow$ \d+

Syntax Example

Here's an example of some BlockPipe code!

{ 
  a: 1
  b: 2
  c: 3

  print_values: {
    $0
  }

  (a b c) | print_values
}

It evaluates to (1 2 3).